Friday’s candidate filing deadline has brought the ballot for the May 2 election into focus, with the new cycle ushering in notable leadership changes across several Wise County communities, with at least three new mayors and key contested school board races.
In Bridgeport, mayor and former police chief Randy Singleton opted not to seek re-election, ending a 50-year career in public service. The next Bridgeport mayor will be current council member Susan Coffman, who has represented Place 3 since 2021 and did not draw a challenger in the mayoral race. Meanwhile in Decatur, the mayor and a council member are trading places. Mayor Mike McQuiston filed for Place 5, while Place 5 council member Eddie Allen filed for mayor. Neither drew a challenger. Also of note, former Decatur Police Chief, DISD board member and current member of the WCSO Rex Hoskins is adding to his own 50-year public service record by running unopposed for Place 1 on the Decatur City Council.
The City of Chico will see change, too, with a contested race for at-large council seats and Ronnie Skip McGuire running unopposed for mayor.
On the school side, five candidates filed for two seats on the Decatur ISD Board of Trustees, and both openings on the Bridgeport ISD Board of Trustees will be contested. The Decatur races will see a healthy turnout, with its $137 million bond headlining the May 2 ballot.
Because many candidates filed unopposed, several Wise County entities are expected to cancel their elections at future council meetings. Here’s a look at who filed and a preview of the contested races you could expect come May.
Decatur ISD School Board
Place 3
- Sandra Schneider, incumbent
- Gill Davis
- Brandon Reynolds
Place 4
- Jeremy Duncan, incumbent
- Megan Hood
Decatur City Council
Mayor
- Eddie Allen (Current Place 5 on council)
Place 1
- Rex Hoskins
Place 3
- Amanda Cross
Place 5
- Mike McQuiston (Current Mayor)
Note: Incumbents Debra Jackson, Place 1 and Darlene Hilton, Place 3, did not seek re-election. When asked why he was running for Place 5, McQuiston said it was time for Allen to lead the council.
“For everything there is a season. It’s been an honor to serve the City Of Decatur as Mayor for the past six years,” McQuiston said. “Leadership change is a part of the dynamics of every organization, and continuity is essential in having an effective transition. Going forward, Eddie Allen is the right person to transition into the role as Mayor; and, I’m grateful to continue to serve our community on City Council, Place 5.”
Bridgeport ISD School Board
Place 6
- Scott Hiler, incumbent
- Ken Kilpatrick
Place 7
- JC Donnelly
- Ernesto Villarreal
Note: Incumbent Terry Rye, Place 7 did not seek re-election.
Bridgeport City Council
Mayor
- Susan Coffman (Currently serving Place 3, term expires in 2027)
Place 1
- Preston Brown, incumbent
- Jessica Webb
Place 2
- Bobby Rodriguez, incumbent
Northwest ISD School Board
Place 5
- Steve Sprowls, incumbent
Place 6
- Lillian Rauch, incumbent
Place 7
- Jennifer Murphy, incumbent
Note: Laura Koehler filed for Place 5, and later withdrew her candidacy. Sprowls sought re-election to Place 5 after withdrawing his candidacy in the Texas House District 93 race.
Rhome City Council
Mayor
- Kenneth Crenshaw, incumbent
Place 4
- Kristi King, incumbent
Place 5
- Jeremy Finch, incumbent
New Fairview City Council
Place 1
- Ricky Jones, incumbent
Place 3
- Kelly Kena, incumbent
Place 5
- Alisa Scheps, incumbent
Boyd ISD School Board
Place 1
- Aaron Lambert, incumbent
Place 2
- Krista Barber, incumbent
Place 3
- Kyle Erwin, incumbent
Boyd City Council
Ward 1, Place 2
- Eric Frisinger, incumbent
Ward 2, Place 2
- Jimmy Young, incumbent
Ward 3, Place 2
- Adrian Zgoda, incumbent
Aurora City Council
Ward 1, Seat 2
- Larry Naugle
Ward 2, Seat 1
- Kristin Cline
Ward 3, Seat 2
- Ron Pellegrini
Note: Dennis Bomar withdrew candidacy from Ward 2, Seat 1. City website indicates list was last updated 3 p.m. Feb. 13.
Newark City Council
Due to the President’s Day holiday, the Messenger was unable to confirm the final filing information for Newark. Below are the incumbents serving in the seats that will be up for election May 2.
Place 1
- Jennifer Hill
Place 2
- Nathaniel Butler
Place 3
- Richard Sidebottom
Alvord City Council
Place 3
- Christopher Quintana, incumbent
- Debra McKelvain
Place 4
- Andrew Ballinger, incumbent
Place 5
- Joshua Christensen, incumbent
Alvord ISD
Place 6
- Travis Taylor, incumbent
Place 7
- Aaron Moore, incumbent
Chico ISD
Place 6
- Ubaldo Garcia, incumbent
Place 7
- Chris Laney, incumbent
Chico City Council
Mayor
- Ronnie ‘Skip’ McGuire
At-large seats (three)
- Beverly O’Dell
- Wesley Miller
- Hannah Huffman (incumbent)
- Gary Fatheree
- Kimberlee Adams
Note: Incumbent council members Jack Souther and Josh McDaniel are not seeking re-election once their terms expire this year.
Runaway Bay City Council
Mayor
- Herman White, incumbent
- Sam Berry
Place 2
- Richard Griffin, incumbent
Place 4
- Phil Reicheneker
Lake Bridgeport City Council
Mayor
- Nick Bilby, incumbent
At-large seats (two)
- Louise Hazel (incumbent)
- Monty Roberts
- John Rogers
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